A day after President Barack Obama urged lawmakers to bring new gun control legislation up for a vote in Congress, Illinois U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk says he’s cautiously optimistic about gun control measures he’s pushing in the Senate.

The merger of American Airlines and US Airways, to be formally announced Thursday, caps a turbulent half-decade of bankruptcies and consolidation for the U.S. airline industry and leaves travelers four big carriers to choose from.

Linda Frank and her daughter, attorney Deb Frank Feinen are both Republicans, with decades of political experience between them. Frank recently retired after serving five terms as Champaign County Circuit Clerk, while her daughter Deb serves on the Champaign City Council.